23.08.2024

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan held a joint meeting with business leaders from both countries.

The event saw participation from executives and representatives of major Azerbaijani companies, including PASHA Holding, SOCAR, SOFAZ, Agalarov Development, Silk Way Group, Matanat, Sarda Group, AzerGold, Azermash, the Azerbaijan Investment Holding, Azerbaijan Railways, the Alat Free Economic Zone, among others.

President Mirziyoyev warmly welcomed the business leaders and highlighted their crucial role in expanding the trade and economic partnership between the two nations. "You are the driving force of the economy, boldly introducing innovations, creating enterprises, and generating jobs," he emphasized.

The meeting, held for the first time in this format, is seen as the beginning of a new phase in trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. Mirziyoyev expressed satisfaction with the groundbreaking results of the recent summit, which included the first meeting of the Supreme Intergovernmental Council and the signing of the Treaty on Allied Relations.

"We have reached the highest level of intergovernmental interaction and effectively opened a new chapter in Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations," noted Mirziyoyev. The main outcomes of the negotiations included agreements to create even more favorable conditions and comprehensive support for businesses in both countries, including joint ventures in external markets.

Significant progress has been made in recent years, with increased trade turnover and the number of joint ventures, successful implementation of various cooperative projects, and active interregional exchanges. A substantial portfolio of agreements and contracts worth over $2 billion was signed during the preceding business forum.

Mirziyoyev emphasized that business should be the primary driver in achieving the key objectives outlined for the Year of Economic Cooperation, declared by the leaders of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. This includes prospective projects in 20 priority areas of cooperation.

"We, together with respected Ilham Heydarovich, are united in the view that business is the future of cooperation, and the future of our multifaceted relations depends on you," Mirziyoyev concluded.

The President assured entrepreneurs that all necessary conditions would be created for their effective and comfortable operations. In response, leaders of major companies from both countries expressed their gratitude to the Presidents for their support and outlined specific plans for implementing new cooperative projects.

At the end of the meeting, the leaders participated in the launch ceremony for various cooperation projects, including hotel and residential complex construction in Tashkent, building materials production in Kashkadarya, and the creation of textile clusters and a sewing factory in Azerbaijan.

By initiating these projects, the Presidents expressed confidence that they would boost mutual trade volumes, establish modern production capacities, and create new jobs.